Manure spreader floor conveyor means

ABSTRACT

A manure spreader floor conveyor means includes a conveyor that has a pair of spaced endless log or proof-coil chains interconnected by transverse flights. Specially configured drive and idler sprockets operatively engage the links of the chains and accommodate cylindrical flight connections which interconnect central material engaging portions of the flights with the chains.

United Stes ates FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France ..198/188 WilkesFeb. 22 1972 [54] MANURE SPREADER FLOOR 1,126,122 11/1956 France..198/172 CONVEYOR MEANS 1,368,646 6/1964 France 198/189 [72] Inventor:Raymond Steele Wilkes, Moline, 111. primary Examine, Gera|d F l [73]Assignee: Deere 8: Company, Moline, I11. Asslsmm 'f' Abraham IAttorney-H. Vmcent Harsha, Harold M. Knoth, William A. 1 Flled! Aug. 21969 Murruy..lohn M. Nolan undJimmie R. ()aks [21] App1.No 853,136 [57]ABSTRACT [52] U 5 0 198/173 [98/203 A manure spreader floor conveyormeans includes a conveyor [51] 19/02 that has a pair of spaced endlesslog or proof-coil chains inter l. connected y transverse flightsp yconfigured drive [58] Field of Search ..198/173, 172, 174, 194, 189 andidler Sprockets Operative), g g the links of the Chains [56] ReferencesCited and accommodate cylindrical flight connections which inter connectcentral material engaging portions of the flights with the chains.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFE822 1972 SHEEI 1 BF 2 j INVENTOR.

R.S.WlLKES FIG; 3

PATENTEUFEBZZ I972 3, 643 786 sum 2 or 2 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. R. S. WILKES 1 MANURE SPREADER F LOOR CONVEYOR MEANSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a manure spreaderfloor conveyor means and more particularly relates to a conveyor thatincludes a pair of spaced parallel endless log or proof-coil chainsinterconnected by spaced flights.

The most common types of discharge conveyors for manure spreaders arethose which include a pair of spaced chains of steel detachable linksinterconnected by spaced flights. One example of such a conveyor isdisclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,314,527. These chains do not have thestrength to operate properly to discharge manure that is in a frozen orotherwise hard state. Also, these conveyors do not have an acceptablewear life when used in large capacity spreaders where the weight ofmaterial on the conveyor is considerable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there isprovided a v manure spreader floor conveyor means and more particularly,

there is provided a conveyor chain, a drive sprocket means and an idlersprocket means which cooperate in a manner especially conducive toproperly discharge manure that is in a frozen or otherwise hard state.

Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a pair ofendless log or proof-coil chains interconnected by spaced flights.

It is a further object to provide drive sprockets which are speciallydesigned to fit the log or proof-coil chains and which have clearancesfor foreign material and provision for selfcleaning.

Another object is to provide idler sprockets which are of openconstruction to prevent buildup of frozen material and which are shapedto crush material which feeds between the chain and the sprockets.

Another object is to provide flighting which includes generallycylindrical attaching portions at the ends of the central materialengaging portion, the attaching portions being connected to the logchain to give a strong joint that acts similar to a link of a rollerchain as it goes over the drive sprockets.

Still another object is to provide a floor conveyor chain which is ofstrong and robust construction and is easily manufactured.

These andother objects will become apparent from the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS GS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of themanure spreader in which the present invention is embodied,

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the conveyor floor removed from the spreaderof FIG. 1 and showing the conveyor chain thereon.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the conveyor chain.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines 4- 4 of FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of one of the drive sprockets showing a chainsegment meshed therein along with one of the flight connectors.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 but showingthe flight connector removed.

FIG. 7 is a side view ofone of the idler sprockets.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,there is shown a manure spreader 10 that includes a box 12 supported onground wheels 14 and having opposite sides 16, a front 18 and a bed orfloor 20 that includes fore-and-aft channellike opposite sides 21. Ahitch 22 extends forwardly from the front 18 of the box 12 and supportsa power takeoff shaft 24 operatively interconnected by conventionalmeans (not shown) with a foreand-aft drive shaft 26 at the side of thebox 12. The drive shaft, in turn, may be selectively drivingly connectedby conventional means (not shown) to a conveyor drive shaft 28 rotatablymounted at the rear of the bed in the opposite sides 21. Fixed forrotation with the drive shaft 28 are a pair of drive sprockets 30, onlyone being shown. An idler shaft 32 is rotatably mounted at the front ofthe bed 20 in the opposite sides 21 and fixed for rotation with theidler shaft 32 are a pair of idler sprockets 34, each being inlongitudinal alignment with a respective drive sprocket.

A conveyor 36 has a top run overlying the bed 20 adapted for movement inthe direction of the arrow 38 (FIG. 4) and a bottom run underneath thebed 20. The conveyor 36 includes a pair of parallel, log or proof-coilchains 40 trained over aligned sprockets 30 and 34. The chains 40include alternately horizontal and vertical links 41 and 42,respectively. Foreand-aft spaced, transverse flights 43 interconnectlinks 41. The flights 43 include a central material engaging portion 44,which is L-shaped in cross section with a horizontal trailing leg 46engageable with the bed 20 and a vertical leading leg 48, and generallycylindrical connecting portions 50 and 52 fixedly interconnected, as bywelding, to the selected horizontal links and the respective ends of theflights at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical legs.

Each drive sprocket 30 includes a hub 54 and seven equispaced radialteeth 56 which are bisected into substan tially equal rightand left-handopposed sections 58 and 60 (FIG. 6) by an annular groove 62 adapted toreceive the vertical links 42 of the chain 40. The outer, radial portionof the groove 62 is stepped axially opposite at the leading and trailingedges of each tooth 56 to form right and left leading ledges (only rightledge 64 is shown), right and left trailing ledges 68-70, andintermediate right and left driving portions 72 and 74, the leading andtrailing ledges of adjacent teeth being adapted for supporting thehorizontal links 41 of the chains 40 with the intermediate drivingportions 72 and 74 at opposite ends of the horizontal links 41. Betweenthe teeth 56 are openings 76 defined by radially opening,semicylindrical portions 78 having at their base smaller semicylindricalrelief portions 80. The larger semicylindrical portions 78 are adaptedfor receiving the cylindrical connecting portions 50 and 52 of theconveyor flights 43 in much the same fashion that a roller ofa rollerlink chain is received in its drive sprocket.

Each idler sprocket 34 includes a hub 82 having six equispaced, radiallyextending fins 84. The fins 84 are adapted to mesh between adjacent onesof the vertical links 42 of the respective chains 40 and support orengage the horizontal links 41. The hub 82 is tapered radially outwardlyfrom its opposite ends to form an intermediate edge 86 upon which thevertical links of the chain 40 bear as they travel around the sprocketand which crushes material passing between the chain and the sprocket.The outer end 88 of each of the idler sprockets 34 is positioned againsta chain guide plate 90 which rotatably receives the idler shaft 32, andis in turn received in a recess 92 in the channellike side 21 of the bed20. The inner ends of the fins 84 of the idler sprockets 34 are notchedat 94 to provide clearance for the material-engaging portions 44 of theflights as the links to which the flights are attached pass over theidler sprockets 34.

In operation, the spreader hitch 22 and power takeoff 24 are connectedto a tractor (not shown). The power takeoff is engaged in a manner wellknown in the art to drive the conveyor drive shaft 28 clockwise, asviewed in FIGS. 2 and 4. Since the drive sprockets 30 are fixedlyattached to the drive shaft 28, they also rotate clockwise and the teeth56 of the sprockets drivingly engage the log chains 40 with the verticallinks 42 disposed in the annular U-shaped groove 62, with the horizontallinks 41 supported upon the right and left ledges only 64 (being shown)and 68-70 of the leading and trailing portions of adjacent teeth 56 andwith the central right and left driving portions 72 and 74,respectively, of adjacent teeth at opposite ends of the horizontal links41. The connecting portions 50 and 52 of the flights are received in thesemicylindrical spaces 78 between the teeth 56 as the horizontal linksto which the are attached pass over the drive sprockets. The chain guideplates 90 at the outer ends of the idler sprockets 34 guide the chains40 over the sprockets and the radial fins 84 of the sprockets span thevertical links 42 of the chains 40 and support the horizontal links 41.When the horizontal links carrying the flights 43 pass over the idlersprockets 34, the connecting portions 50 and 52 of the flights ride onthe outer radial surfaces of the fins 84. The vertical links 42 aresupported on the edge 86 on the hub 82 between the opposite ends of therespective idler sprockets 34 and material passing between the idlersprockets and the chains 40 is crushed by the edge 86.

The open construction of the drive sprockets 30 and idler sprockets 34permits material to be carried over them and shed without becominglodged in working areas thereon.

lclaim:

l. A floor conveyor comprising: a bed, a drive shaft rotatably mountedat one end of the bed and an idler shaft mounted at the other end of thebed, a pair of drive sprockets mounted for rotation with said driveshaft at opposite sides of the bed, a pair of idler sprockets mountedfor rotation with said idler shaft at opposite sides of the bed inlongitudinal alignment with said drive sprockets, a pair of chainsoperatively mounted on said drive and idler sprockets, a plurality ofconveyor flights disposed generally normal to said chainsinterconnecting selected ones of opposite links of said chains, saidconveyor flights each including a central material-engaging portionhaving opposite ends spaced laterally inwardly from said chains andconnecting portions at each end fixedly secured to one side of saidselected ones of said links and to said material-engaging portion, eachof said drive sprockets including a plurality of equispaced teeth havinga width in the direction of the axis of rotation of said drive shaftgreater than the acid of rotation of said drive shaft the lateral extentof said chains, and cooperating surfaces on adjacent teeth shaped fordrivingly engaging said connecting portions of said conveyor flights.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting portionsare cylindrical and said cooperating surfaces form portions of acylinder.

3. A floor conveyor comprising: a bed, a drive shaft rotatably mountedat one end of the bed and an idler shaft rotatably mounted at the otherend of the bed, a pair of drive sprockets mounted for rotation with thedrive shaft at opposite sides of the bed, a pair of idler sprocketsmounted for rotation with the idler shaft at opposite sides of the bedin longitudinal alignment with said drive sprockets, a pair oflog chainsoperatively mounted on said drive and idler sprockets and havingalternate horizontal and vertical links with respect to said bed, aplurality of conveyor flights disposed generally normal to said logchains interconnecting selected ones of said horizontal links of eachchain, said conveyor flights each including a pair of connectingportions located at opposite ends of and connected to a centralmaterial-engaging portion having its 0pposite ends spaced laterallyinwardly from said log chains and each of said idler sprockets includinga hub having a plurality of equispaced radially extending fins locatedcircumferentially thereabout, said fins having a width in the directionof the axis of rotation of the idler shaft grater than the lateralextent of said chains and meshing between adjacent vertical links of therespective chains and engaging said horizontal links.

4. Theinvention defined in claim 3 wherein said hub tapers radiallyoutwardly from its opposite ends to form an intermediate annular edge.

5. The invention defined in claim 3 and further including a pair ofchain guide plates mounted at the opposite sides of said bed and whereinthe opposite ends of said idler shaft are rotatably received within, andthe outer ends of said idler sprockets bear against said guide plates.

6. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said fins are notched attheir inner ends for accommodating said materialengaging portions ofsaid flights when the links to which the flights are connected pass overthe idler sprockets.

. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said hub tapers radiallyoutwardly from its opposite ends to form an intermediate annular edge.

8. The invention defined in claim 6 and further including a pair ofchain guide plates mounted at the opposite sides of said bed and whereinthe opposite ends of said idler shaft are rotatably received within, andthe outer ends of said idler sprockets bear against said guide plates.

9. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said hub tapers radiallyoutwardly from its opposite ends to form an intermediate annular edgeand further including a pair of guide plates mounted at the oppositesides of said bed and wherein the opposite ends of said idler shaft arerotatably received within and the outer ends of said idler sprocketsbear against said guide plates.

10. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said hub tapers radiallyoutwardly from its opposite ends to form an intermediate annular edgeand further including a pair of chain guide plates mounted at theopposite sides of said bed and wherein the opposite ends of said idlershaft are rotatably received within, and the outer ends of said idlersprockets bear against said guide plates.

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE, OF CORREQTWN Patent No. 3 6L3Q786 Dated 22 February 1972 Inventor(s) Raymond Steele Wilkes It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 35, cancel the acid of rotation of said drive shaft".

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973.

(SEAL) v Attest:

EDWARD M.PLETCHER,JR. ROBERT {SOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents USCOMM'DC 60376-P69 i U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969O-366-334

1. A floor conveyor comprising: a bed, a drive shaft rotatably mountedat one end of the bed and an idler shaft mounted at the other end of thebed, a pair of drive sprockets mounted for rotation with said driveshaft at opposite sides of the bed, a pair of idler sprockets mountedfor rotation with said idler shaft at opposite sides of the bed inlongitudinal alignment with said drive sprockets, a pair of chainsoperatively mounted on said drive and idler sprockets, a plurality ofconveyor flights disposed generally normal to said chainsinterconnecting selected ones of opposite links of said chains, saidconveyor flights each including a central material-engaging portionhaving opposite ends spaced laterally inwardly from said chains andconnecting portions at each end fixedly secured to one side of saidselected ones of said links and to said material-engaging portion, eachof said drive sprockets including a plurality of equispaced teeth havinga width in the direction of the axis of rotation of said drive shaftgreater than the acid of rotation of said drive shaft the lateral extentof said chains, and cooperating surfaces on adjacent teeth shaped fordrivingly engaging said connecting portions of said conveyor flights. 2.The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting portions arecylindrical and said cooperating surfaces form portions of a cylinder.3. A floor conveyor comprising: a bed, a drive shaft rotatably mountedat one end of the bed and an idler shaft rotatably mounted at the otherend of the bed, a pair of drive sprockets mounted for rotation with thedrive shaft at opposite sides of the bed, a pair of idler sprocketsmounted for rotation with the idler shaft at opposite sides of the bedin longitudinal alignment with said drive sprockets, a pair of logchains operatively mounted on said drive and idler sprockets and havingalternate horizontal and vertical links with respect to said bed, aplurality of conveyor flights disposed generally normal to said logchains interconnecting selected ones of said horizontal links of eachchain, said conveyor flights each including a pair of connectingportions located at opposite ends of and connected to a centralmaterial-engaging portion having its opposite ends spaced laterallyinwardly from said log chains and each of said idler sprockets includinga hub having a plurality of equispaced radially extending fins locatedcircumferentially thereabout, said fins having a width in the directionof the axis of rotation of the idler shaft grater than the lateralextent of said chains and meshing between adjacent vertical links of therespective chains and engaging said horizontal links.
 4. The inventiondefined in claim 3 wherein said hub tapers radially outwardly from itsopposite ends to form an intermediate annular edge.
 5. The inventiondefined in claim 3 and further including a pair of chain guide platesmounted at the opposite sides of said bed and wherein the opposite endsof said idler shaft are rotatably received within, and the outer ends ofsaid idler sprockets bear against said guide plates.
 6. The inventiondefined in claim 3 wherein said fins are notched at their inner ends foraccommodating said material-engaging portions of said flights when thelinks to which the flights are connected pass over the idler sprockets.7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said hub tapers radiallyoutwardly from its opposite ends to form an intermediate annular edge.8. The invention defined in claim 6 and further including a pair ofchain guide plates mounted at the opposite sides of said bed and whereinthe opposite ends of said idler shaft are rotatably received within, andthe outer ends of said idler sprockets bear against said guide plates.9. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said hub tapers radiallyoutwardly from its opposite ends to form an intermediate annular edgeand further including a pair of guide plates mounted at the oppositesides of said bed and wherein the opposite ends of said idler shaft arerotatably received within and the outer ends of said idler sprocketsbear against said guide plates.
 10. The invention defined in claim 6wherein said hub tapers radially outwardly from its opposite ends toform an intermediate annular edge and further including a pair of chainguide plates mounted at the opposite sides of said bed and wherein theopposite ends of said idler shaft are rotatably received within, and theouter ends of said idler sprockets bear against said guide plates.